Ecological systems theory is based on a child development theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner. In simple terms, the Ecological Systems theory is how "systems" affect the whole of a person. As the graph shows to the left, a person is at the core of the different influences that affect him or her. (educationportal.com) The microsystem is the first layer and for many people the most important, including myself. All systems affect and influence, however, the microsystem from the very beginning of one's existence is the most tangible example. A person's family, school, peers, where they live, go to church (if they go at all) and where they work all have the first chance of defining and determining how a person is. During one's childhood many of the formative way upon how one thinks is made. The immediate systems around that person can shape who they believe they are, their values and morals. Many times though the larger system with which affect a person, can leave a more lasting legacy on that person's life. The mesosystem is the second layer that affects the individual, it is how all the different branches in the microsystem inter-relate and work together. The mesosystem is where the foundational quilting of ideas is woven together. As this sphere widens to other layers, the exosystem is the most broad view. Just because the exosystem has government, political and economical systems connecting, does not mean that it does not affect that individual on a personal level. In the country one has been brought up in nationalism can be produced, which is not bad, however it can skew how one would think of the outside world. The economics of a country can also be seen as a form of class system. This exosystem really seeps through to all systems. After the basic understanding of these three intermediate systems affecting a person, a more abstract view can be realized. As self-actualization sets in, one can think more in macrosystem kind of way. A person's overarching beliefs and values come from all the systems working together, based on experiences in one's life can determine how truly one thinks. Lastly the chronosystem is where their is a dimension of time. This could be confusing, however if one was to think in terms of environmental events as well as sociohistorical events, such a traumatic time in a child's life in his or her first fiver years, that is what everything builds upon. The chronosystem is where who parts make up the whole. (educationportal.com)
In my life, I have had many systems integrate me into who I am as a person. The slideshow above shows pictures from my life, friends and family are in the majority of the pictures, however systems such as school, church, culture and tradition, neighborhood and work are in there as well. These pictures are essentially my mircrosystem. How I grew up has affect the way I way I believe. I wrote a statement paper that encapsulated all of my values and beliefs into one word, which was then expanded upon. To culminate my chronosystem and fulfill the ecological systems framework, there is just one word: Joy.
In my life, I have had many systems integrate me into who I am as a person. The slideshow above shows pictures from my life, friends and family are in the majority of the pictures, however systems such as school, church, culture and tradition, neighborhood and work are in there as well. These pictures are essentially my mircrosystem. How I grew up has affect the way I way I believe. I wrote a statement paper that encapsulated all of my values and beliefs into one word, which was then expanded upon. To culminate my chronosystem and fulfill the ecological systems framework, there is just one word: Joy.
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Systems: Past and Present that have influenced me
My family has had a huge impact on me. I grew up in a pretty traditional home, with love and laughter woven through every argument, and life event. Tradition has become a very valuable aspect of my family's life. My mom's family is form England and Canada, and I am actually first generation American on her side. The traditions we have from England are so strong and have made me unwavering in how proper one must be especially during the growing up years. My dad's family is Swedish and Irish and we also have many traditions on that side. Those traditions mainly are food related with Christmas always being done the Swedish way. How I learned to love and be loved in a family system, and regard tradition as something that is a lasting affect, prepped me for how I would see the world today.
My family has had a huge impact on me. I grew up in a pretty traditional home, with love and laughter woven through every argument, and life event. Tradition has become a very valuable aspect of my family's life. My mom's family is form England and Canada, and I am actually first generation American on her side. The traditions we have from England are so strong and have made me unwavering in how proper one must be especially during the growing up years. My dad's family is Swedish and Irish and we also have many traditions on that side. Those traditions mainly are food related with Christmas always being done the Swedish way. How I learned to love and be loved in a family system, and regard tradition as something that is a lasting affect, prepped me for how I would see the world today.
